Officers search for duo wanted in shoplifting scheme

SMYRNA, Ga. - Smyrna police want the public's help finding two people they describe as serial shoplifters.

"Through the course of our investigation we identified two suspects and took out warrants on two individuals on that case," Officer Chris Graeff with the Smyrna Police Department said.

Officers identified Anthony Barnes, 24, and Nashara Arnold, 24, as the people who went into the T.J. Maxx store on Cobb Boulevard and stole more than $1,300 worth of merchandise.

Graeff told Channel 2's Amy Napier Viteri that Arnold went into the store and gathered a large amount of clothing.

"(She) put it in a basket and then Mr. Barnes came in behind her snatched up the clothing and ran out of the store," he said.

A loss prevention officer confronted Barnes, who police said dropped the merchandise and his cellphone.

That's how officers identified him and eventually learned of several other similar cases they believe are linked to the pair.

"This is kind of a crew and they’ve been hitting multiple locations across the metro area there’s a couple cases in Dunwoody, one or two in Fulton and several in Kennesaw and Cobb County,” Graeff said.

Shoppers Kevin and Priscilla Mosley were surprised to learn someone would target that many stores in the same area and get away with that much merchandise.